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Judge recuses herself from scout leader molestation case

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — The trial for a former Boy Scout leader charged with molesting 12 children four years ago has had yet another setback.

Harry Brett Taylor has been in jail awaiting trial, but so far no trial date has been set.

Friday, Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh learned the judge in the case has recused herself, making her the fifth one to do so.

Judge Debra Turner decided to voluntarily step down at the district attorney's request because her campaign chairman, Lee Washburn, is the defendant's divorce lawyer.

The original judge on the case was disqualified over an appearance of impropriety. One of the judge's current staff attorneys was a county prosecutor when the Taylor case began.

In a hearing Thursday, defense attorney Walt Britt asked Turner to reconsider suppressing key evidence against his client.

Britt believes some of the images were not properly seized during searches. Investigators collected much of the evidence from Taylor's Lawrenceville home on Bergen Court.

The evidence led to a 32-count indictment that included aggravated child molestation, criminal attempt to commit child molestation, child molestation, sexual exploitation, aggravated sexual battery and sexual battery.

Turner said she was in an "awkward position," but ultimately decided to take another look at the evidence in question.

There is no word on when another hearing will be set in this case.